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Akila Dell-Amina Mwongozi I is my full given name (the “I” is not a typo. It’s a part of my name. Like the Roman numeral 1. It indicates that I am firstborn). I go by Amina most of the time. Sometimes Dell-Amina. Never Akila. Long story. I have time if you do.
I call myself a Creative Freelancer.
What do you do and why?
A little of this. A little of that. In a dream world, I’m a full-time freelancer, writing books, composing and producing music, making handcrafted jewelry and all sorts of other odd and end creative projects that move me. In the real world, I do all that, just on the side. I have a full-time job working for state government. I do that to pay my bills. I do the other stuff because it helps me breathe.
I’ve been a writer for as long as I can remember. I think I started writing because I loved to read so much. At first it was just cute short stories. I wrote my first book when I was around 9 years old. It was a coloring book about a teddy bear.
I wrote my first song when I was around 10, and that was a collaborative effort with my sister and two of my cousins. It was about 12 more years before I wrote another song, and that happened after separating from an abusive husband who pretty much snuffed out my love for music.
I wrote my first poem at 18, right after my grandmother died.
In many ways, my creativity has been an outlet for my emotions. That’s why I say I do it because it helps me breathe. I don’t know where or who I would be or IF I would even be if I didn’t write, paint, bake, sing, etc.
June is black music month. What does that mean to you?
Well, first of all, I didn’t know this and I feel ashamed. But… the other thing I think about having a Black music month is… it’s cute. And mostly ridiculous. There is no American music without black music. Taking time out to celebrate us is always good. But the idea that continues to be supported by something like “Black music month” is one that purports that Black music is somehow something different than the rest of American music and that couldn’t be further from the truth. The only thing I want to hear during Black music month is an admission of co-option. I want mainstream white artists to really take a look at everything they “popularized” and give the black artists who created it their things. American music is Black music; Black music is American music, and it’s all year. We need to acknowledge that and stop accepting relegation to months.
But while I’m here, I’m black and I make music inspired by other blacks. So hopefully folk will check out my music. I just released an EP last month, Simple as a Kiss, and I’m excited about it. But I’m MORE excited about the music I’m working on currently! Being an independent artist has been a journey for me and it’s a long story. Maybe one for another day. But I’m finally moving into a space where I KNOW everything that comes forth will be great and will be me. I’m very excited about it.
How to Get in Touch
I made it easy. You can just go here to access all my pertinent links. See you on the web!